Future Changes along the Mt Jefferson Greenway

[PotomacCyclist]

“For Immediate Release: October 30, 2013

Public Invited to Attend Informational Meeting about Future Changes along the Mt Jefferson Greenway/W&OD Trail

The public is invited to attend an informational meeting about modifications to the Mt. Jefferson Dog Exercise Area and the W&OD Trail on Saturday, November 9 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Mount Jefferson Unfenced Dog Exercise Area at the 200 & 300 Block of Raymond Ave. In the event of inclement weather, the meeting will be cancelled and re-scheduled.

The City of Alexandria Departments of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and Transportation and Environmental Services are evaluating the following changes to the Mount Jefferson/WOD Trail:

Creating new pedestrian access at the dead end of Stewart Avenue. This area is City owned right of way and would provide a new access point to the greenway. In addition, it would provide a more suitable location for park maintenance access.
Relocating the existing off leash dog exercise area and determining a new location further south along the greenway. The current location has severe drainage issues, which affects the usability of the dog, run during wet conditions.

Persons unable to attend the meeting can send written comments to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, Attention: Judy Lo, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA 22314, or e-mail judy.lo@alexandriava.gov.”

Topic

[PotomacCyclist]

First time I’ve ever heard of that trail referred to as part of the W&OD. It’s located in Del Ray, almost a mile away from the official trail head in Shirlington. I’m also unsure whether this is more of a pedestrian path than a bike/ped trail.

But in case any cyclists do use the trail, or even if they use it mostly for walking or running, the press release might be of interest.

[chris_s]

@PotomacCyclist 67885 wrote:

First time I’ve ever heard of that trail referred to as part of the W&OD. It’s located in Del Ray, almost a mile away from the official trail head in Shirlington.

It does, in fact, follow the old Washington & Old Dominion Railway right-of-way; that’s the only W&OD connection though.

[PotomacCyclist]

http://delray.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/parks-department-evaluating-changes-to-del-rays-mount-jefferson-greenway

A minor bike-related item: “The Del Ray Citizens Association’s Transportation and Pedestrian Safety Committee is looking into creating a potential bicycle throughway on the greenway between Stewart and Calvert avenues as part of a long-term plan that includes lighting, storm drain repair and the installation of new entrances.”

That segment would only be one block long, so I don’t think it would have a major effect on local cyclists either way. Maybe it will help those riding between Del Ray and Potomac Yard. But there are several streets between the two areas with relatively low traffic (I think).

[consularrider]

None of the streets between E Raymond and E Del Ray/Mt Ida go through the greenway corridor, yeah, it’s only four blocks, but it would be great if the trail could be rideable for that segment to the Rte 1/Custis intersection.

[cyclingfool]

@consularrider 68014 wrote:

None of the streets between E Raymond and E Del Ray/Mt Ida go through the greenway corridor, yeah, it’s only four blocks, but it would be great if the trail could be rideable for that segment to the Rte 1/Custis intersection.

It’s currently doable on a bike with fat tires — my MTB drop bar conversion w/ 2″ tires does fine on the dirt and gravel — but that leaves lots of room for improvement for bikes not so equipped.

The other major issues in that section are at the very end by the intersection w/ route 1, where a ridiculous chain link fence and gate sit at the bottom of a pretty steep gravelly slope/moundside that I have opted to walk down the couple times I’ve ridden that stretch for “shiggles” (that’s s#!ts + giggles).

[Kolohe]

Though at least the gate now opens, (which it didn’t as little as a year ago, iirc) and you don’t have to trespass onto the vet hospital anymore and squeeze through the gap.

[cyclingfool]

@Kolohe 68032 wrote:

Though at least the gate now opens, (which it didn’t as little as a year ago, iirc) and you don’t have to trespass onto the vet hospital anymore and squeeze through the gap.

With improvements like that, it’s no wonder Alexandria became a LAB Silver-level BFC. :rolleyes:

[chris_s]

Proof that LAB should poll each applicant’s cyclists on Social Media about why their city is NOT bike friendly before awarding a level.

I bet it would be quite illuminating.

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